SWAT-ing is when someone calls police about a fictitious situation, often purported to involve violence, that requires officers to respond to an address.

Edmonds police Sgt. Josh McClure said someone called 911 saying people were going to be harmed. The department has identified at least five locations where the threats were supposed to be carried out. One of the addresses was for a child care facility.

Officers were posted at each spot. Nothing has happened and there have been no victims, McClure said.

Edmonds police suspect that the threats may be fake, according to a tweet sent out by the department.

“We have not found legitimacy to any threats thus far,” the tweet said.

SWAT-ing has happened several times in Snohomish County in recent years, including a Mukilteo case that led to prison time.

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